U.S. patent number 4,010,987 [Application Number 05/625,110] was granted by the patent office on 1977-03-08 for removable seal for bearings.
This patent grant is currently assigned to C. L. Frost & Son, Inc.. Invention is credited to Philip D. Jasperse, Jerry L. Redmann, Jr..
United States Patent |
4,010,987 |
Jasperse , et al. |
March 8, 1977 |
Removable seal for bearings
Abstract
The specification discloses a bearing assembly including a
removable shield which prevents the entry of dirt and other
contaminants into the space between the bearing races and yet
allows easy maintenance and inspection access to the bearing
interior when desired. A grease fitting is provided through the
shield and held in a predetermined position for access by automatic
relubrication equipment by the cooperation of a noncircular
aperture in said shield received over a noncircular shield support
at the side of the inner race. Preferably, the shield is held on
the shield support by a resilient, split retaining ring received
adjacent the shield in a groove in the shield support.
Inventors: |
Jasperse; Philip D. (Zeeland,
MI), Redmann, Jr.; Jerry L. (Sparta, MI) |
Assignee: |
C. L. Frost & Son, Inc.
(Grand Rapids, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
24504632 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/625,110 |
Filed: |
October 23, 1975 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
384/474 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C
13/006 (20130101); F16C 19/184 (20130101); F16C
33/78 (20130101); F16C 35/073 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16C
35/073 (20060101); F16C 33/76 (20060101); F16C
35/04 (20060101); F16C 19/02 (20060101); F16C
19/18 (20060101); F16C 33/78 (20060101); F16C
001/24 () |
Field of
Search: |
;308/187,193,195,187.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Peters; Joseph F.
Assistant Examiner: Bertsch; Richard A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Price, Heneveld, Huizenga &
Cooper
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows.
1. A bearing assembly comprising inner and outer annular bearing
races spaced apart from one another, anti-friction bearing means
interposed between said races for rotatably supporting one race
with respect to the other; means for axially positioning said
anti-friction bearing means; said assembly adapted to be supported
on a support extending through said assembly; an extension
extending laterally to one side of said inner race; shield means
mounted on said extension for covering the opening between said
races at the side of said assembly, said shield means including an
aperture therethrough for receiving said extension; removable
securing means for retaining said shield means including resilient
retaining means for constantly maintaining engagement with said
extension to hold said shield means on said extension and means
allowing removal of said resilient retaining means and shield means
without removing or disassembling said bearing assembly from any
support for the assembly when the assembly is mounted thereon such
that the shield means and retaining means are removable without
disassembly of any other portion of the assembly or removal of the
assembly from its support.
2. The bearing assembly of claim 1 wherein said retaining means
include resilient, expandable ring means engaging said extension,
said means allowing removal of said resilient retaining means and
shield means including means for expanding and enlarging said ring
means for separation from said extension.
3. The bearing assembly of claim 1 wherein said securing means
include means for biasing said shield means toward said inner
race.
4. The bearing assembly of claim 1 including means on said
extension for preventing rotation of said shield means about said
extension.
5. A bearing assembly comprising inner and outer annular bearing
races spaced apart from one another, anti-friction bearing means
interposed between said races for rotatably supporting one race
with respect to the other; an extension extending laterally to one
side of said inner race; shield means mounted on said extension for
covering the opening between said races at the side of said
assembly, said shield means including an aperture therethrough for
receiving said extension; removable securing means for retaining
said shield means including resilient retaining means for
constantly maintaining engagement with said extension to hold said
shield means on said extension such that the shield means and
retaining means are removable without disassembly of any other
portion of the assembly; said securing means including means for
biasing said shield means toward said inner race; said extension
including a groove extending about a portion of the circumference
thereof; said retaining means including a resilient, expandable
split retainer ring received on said extension in said groove for
retaining said shield on said extension.
6. The bearing assembly of claim 5 wherein said means for biasing
said shield means include a side wall of said groove which is
inclined toward said inner race, said inclined wall being the wall
farthest from said inner race whereby said ring means is urged
toward said shield means to urge said shield means toward said
races.
7. A bearing assembly comprising inner and outer annular bearing
races spaced apart from one another, anti-friction bearing means
interposed between said races for rotatably supporting one race
with respect to the other; means for axially positioning said
anti-friction bearing means; an extension extending laterally to
one side of said inner race; shield means mounted on said extension
for covering the opening between said races at the side of said
assembly, said shield means including an aperture therethrough for
receiving said extension; removable securing means for retaining
said shield means including resilient retaining means for
constantly maintaining engagement with said extension to hold said
shield means on said extension such that the shield means and
retaining means are removable without disassembly of any other
portion of the assembly; said extension including a groove
extending about a portion of the circumference thereof; said
retaining means including a resilient, expandable split retainer
ring received on said extension in said groove for retaining said
shield on said extension.
8. A bearing assembly comprising inner and outer annular bearing
races spaced apart from one another, anti-friction bearing means
interposed between said races for rotatably supporting one race
with respect to the other; an extension extending laterally to one
side of said inner race; shield means mounted on said extension for
covering the opening between said races at the side of said
assembly, said shield means including an aperture therethrough for
receiving said extension; removable securing means for retaining
said shield means including resilient retaining means for
constantly maintaining engagement with said extension to hold said
shield means on said extension such that the shield means and
retaining means are removable without disassembly of any other
portion of the assembly; means on said extension for preventing
rotation of said shield means about said extension; said shield
means include an outer, rigid, annular shield mounted on said
extension and extending to a position adjacent said outer race and
flexible, resilient, annular seal means mounted on said extension
intermediate said rigid shield and inner race and sealingly
engaging said outer race for retaining grease within said bearing
assembly and for preventing contaminants from entering said
assembly, said seal means including an aperture receiving said
extension therethrough and a grease fitting mounted thereon and
extending through a second aperture in said rigid shield.
9. The bearing assembly of cliam 8 wherein said extension is a
generally circular cylindrical shaft coaxial with said inner race;
said means on said extension for preventing rotation of said shield
means including a pair of planar areas, said apertures in said
shield and seal means each including rectilinear edges
corresponding to said planar areas of said otherwise circular,
cylindrical shaft.
10. A bearing assembly comprising an annular inner race; an annular
outer race spaced outwardly of said inner race; antifriction
bearing means interposed between said races for rotatably
supporting one of said races with respect to the other; shield
means for covering the opening between said races at the side of
said assembly; shield support means extending laterally to one side
of said inner race and providing a noncircular surface for mounting
said shield means; and shield means having an aperture therethrough
with a noncircular cross-sectional shape matching that of said
shield support means for receiving said shield support means and
greasing means for admitting grease to the interior of said
assembly positioned in a predetermined position on said shield
means, said noncircular surface and aperture preventing rotation of
said shield means and maintaining said greasing means at the same
position with respect to said shield support means; and securing
means for holding said shield means on said shield support
means.
11. The bearing assembly of claim 10 including means for supporting
a grease fitting interior of said shield means such that it extends
through a second aperture in said shield means.
12. The bearing assembly of claim 11 wherein said shield means
includes an outer, rigid, annular shield mounted on said shield
support means and extending to a position adjacent said outer race
and flexible, resilient, annular seal means mounted on said shield
support means intermediate said rigid shield and inner race and
sealingly engaging said outer race for retaining grease within said
bearing assembly and preventing contaminants from entering said
assembly, said seal means including a noncircular aperture
receiving said shield support means therethrough and said means for
supporting said grease fitting.
13. The bearing assembly of claim 12 wherein said outer race
includes an axial shoulder and an inner sealing ring fitted against
said shoulder for rotation therewith, said inner sealing ring
including a radial flange extending toward said inner race but
ending a distance spaced from said inner race, and an axial flange;
said seal means including a flexible, resilient annular lip
engaging the inside surface of said inner sealing ring; said grease
fitting being secured through an axial aperture in said seal means
for introduction of grease through said shield, seal means and said
space between said inner race and inner sealing ring to said
antifriction bearing means between said races.
14. The bearing assembly of claim 13 wherein the portion of said
seal means including said noncircular aperture receiving said
shield support means is formed from a rigid material and axially
offset from said annular lip, said lip being bonded to said rigid
material.
15. The bearing assembly of claim 12 wherein said shield support
means include a shaft coaxial with said inner race, said shaft
having a circular cross section except for a pair of diametrically
opposed planar areas, said apertures in said shield and seal means
each including rectilinear edges corresponding to said planar areas
of said shaft.
16. The bearing assembly of claim 15 wherein said shaft is a hollow
hub, said inner race being received on the exterior thereof with a
portion extending laterally to one side of said inner race.
17. The bearing assembly of claim 15 wherein said securing means
include expandable ring means engageable with a groove in said
shield support means adjacent said shield means to retain said
shield means on said shield support means.
18. The bearing assembly of claim 10 wherein said shield support
means include a shaft coaxial with said inner race, said shaft
having a circular cross section except for a pair of diametrically
opposed planar areas, said aperture in said shield means including
rectilinear edges corresponding to said planar areas of said
shaft.
19. The bearing assembly of claim 10 wherein said securing means
include expandable ring means engageable with said shield support
means adjacent said shield means to retain said shield means on
said shield support means.
20. The bearing assembly of claim 19 wherein said shield support
means includes a groove extending about at least a portion of the
circumference thereof; said ring means being received on said
shield support means in said groove.
21. The bearing assembly of claim 20 wherein the side of said
groove farthest from said inner race is inclined toward said inner
race whereby said ring means is urged toward said shield means to
urge said shield means toward said races.
22. The bearing assembly of claim 10 wherein said securing means
include means for biasing said shield means toward said inner
race.
23. The bearing assembly of claim 10 wherein said shield support
means is coaxial with said inner race.
24. The bearing assembly of claim 10 wherein said shield means is
an annular, planar disc having a flange inturned toward said
assembly at its outer circumference; said greasing means including
an aperture through said disc.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to bearing assemblies, and, more
particularly, to a bearing assembly including a removable shield or
seal which protects the assembly from dirt and other contaminants,
maintains a grease fitting in a predetermined position, and yet is
easily removable for inspection and maintenance of the bearing
interior.
It is well known to utilize a cover or guard to prevent dirt and
other contaminants from entering a bearing assembly between the
inner and outer races thereof. Typically, such covers or guards are
permanently fixed in place adjacent the side of the assembly on a
support shaft or other structure. In certain applications,
especially where the bearing assemblies are subjected to dirt,
water, or other high wear, severe operating conditions, it is
desirable to remove the cover or guard for inspection of the
bearing assembly interior and/or maintenance of the assembly. The
prior known structures have required significant disassembly for
such inspection and, in many instances, portions of the assembly
must be permanently deformed or destroyed to accomplish the
disassembly.
Another problem with prior known bearing assemblies has been the
inability to facilitate use of such assemblies with automatic
relubrication apparatus. Automatic relubrication equipment is
typically used along various types of conveyors including overhead
trolley conveyors or floor level conveyors and includes a grease
gun or other grease insertion equipment mounted adjacent the
conveyor for inserting grease in each bearing assembly as it passes
by the grease insertion station. While it is generally known to
utilize grease fittings on bearing assemblies such that grease may
be inserted in each bearing assembly, a recurrent problem has been
the inability to properly locate such grease fittings at a common
position with respect to automatic relubrication equipment. Thus,
the grease fittings were either out of alignment with the equipment
and had to be physically located or the assemblies required manual
relubrication which, of course, is much more time consuming and
expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a bearing assembly
including a removable shield supported adjacent at least one side
of a bearing assembly having inner and outer races with
antifriction bearing means interposed therebetween. The shield
prevents dirt and other contaminants from entering the area between
the races and thereby extends the useful life of the assembly.
In other aspects, removable, resilient securing means are provided
for quickly removing the shield from the assemblies for inspection
and maintenance of the bearing interior. This structure allows
removal of the shield without disassembly of any other portion of
the assembly and without removing the assembly from its support
shaft. Further, the shield may include a grease fitting extending
therethrough for insertion of grease to the interior of the
assembly. In such case, the shield and shield support means
adjacent the inner race of the assembly cooperate to prevent
rotation of the shield and grease fitting whereby the grease
fitting is maintained in a predetermined position at all times with
respect to the shield support. Such positioning enables use of
automatic relubrication equipment which must contact each
successive bearing assembly in a conveyor at the same location.
In one form, shield support means extend laterally to one side of
the inner race and provide a noncircular surface for mounting the
shield means which covers the opening between the races. The shield
means includes an aperture therethrough with a noncircular cross
section matching that of the shield support means as well as
greasing means for admitting grease to the interior of the assembly
which are positioned in a predetermined position on the shield
means. The noncircular cross-sectional shapes of the shield means
and shield support means prevent rotation of the shield means with
respect to the shield support and maintain the greasing means at
the same position with respect to the shield support means at all
times.
In another form, an extension is included extending laterally to
one side of the inner race with the shield means mounted thereon.
Removable securing means are provided for retaining the shield
means on the extension including resilient retaining means for
constantly maintaining engagement with the extension to hold such
shield on the extension and yet allowing removal of the shield
means and retaining means without disassembly of any other portion
of the assembly.
These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the
invention will become more apparent from a study of the following
description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the bearing assembly of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional end elevation of the bearing assembly taken
along plane II--II of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view of the bearing assembly taken at
right angles to the view in FIG. 2 along plane III--III of FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the bearing assembly with
the middle seal, outer shield, and resilient, split retaining ring
shown exploded from the assembly;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the retaining
ring and shield support area V in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the split
retaining ring which may be used with the present invention
comprising a convex, split, resilient retaining ring;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the alternate split retaining ring
taken along plane VII--VII of FIG. 6; and
FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the retaining
ring and shield support area similar to FIG. 5 but using the convex
split retaining ring shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 illustrates
the preferred form 10 of the bearing assembly of the present
invention. Bearing assembly 10 is a heavy duty bearing assembly
designed for use in transporting work pieces along a predetermined
path such as in assembly lines. Typically, a movable platform is
provided with four or more of the bearing assemblies of the type
described herein, one at each platform corner, with the inner shaft
or hub of the assembly mounted on an axle or support shaft for the
movable platform and the outer races of the assembly providing
support wheels traveling along rails or another predetermined
pathway on a floor for the platform. As mentioned above, as the
platform including a plurality of such bearing assemblies moves
past automatic relubrication equipment, the grease fitting provided
through the removable shield is maintained in a predetermined
position for relubrication by such equipment. Yet, when desired,
the shield or seal can be easily removed for inspection of the
bearing interior.
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, each bearing assembly includes an annular
outer race 12 including a pair of axially spaced, arcuate outer
raceways 14, each having a contour matching that of a portion of a
spherical ball bearing 15 to be fitted therein. Each lateral side
17 of the outer race is provided with a pair of successively
deeper, annular recesses 16, 18 which define an annular, axially
extending shoulder 20 recessed behind the plane of the outer side
surface 17.
Spaced radially inwardly from the outer race 12 are a pair of inner
race members 22, 24 each telescoped over and mounted in abutting
relationship to one another on a hollow shaft or hub 26. Inner race
members 22, 24 include annular, arcuate inner raceways 28, 30,
respectively, each having a cross-sectional shape matching a
portion of the circumference of a spherical ball bearing 15. Each
of the inner race members includes an annular lateral extension 32,
34, respectively, extending axially outwardly of the assembly and
providing an annular, axial surface 36, 38 respectively, generally
facing the outer race 12.
Hub 26 includes a generally cylindrical central portion 40 on which
are mounted inner race members 22, 24 which have matching inner
diameters providing a telescoping slip fit with the hub. At one
end, the central portion 40 is turned radially outwardly in an
annular flange 42 retaining the apparatus together at one side of
the bearing assembly. At the other end, the hub is provided with a
shield support portion 44 as will be described hereinafter.
Hub 26 is hollow and includes a bore 46 therethrough having a
noncircular cross-sectional shape such that the assembly may be
mounted on a correspondingly shaped support axle or shaft and
restrained against rotation with respect to that axle or shaft.
While a removable seal or shield is shown on support portion 44 on
only one side of the assembly in the preferred embodiment, it is
well within the scope of the invention to provide removable seals
on both sides of the assembly. Normally, however, two removable
seals will not be necessary since maintenance and inspection can be
accomplished from one side of the assembly.
As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, on either side of the assembly a series
of three sealing rings, seals, and shields are provided both to
hold grease within the bearing assembly and to prevent the entry of
contaminants such as dirt, grit, and other foreign particles to the
interior of the assembly. Included are inner sealing rings 50,
middle seals 56, and outer shields 70.
In the innermost position immediately adjacent either row of ball
bearings 15, are annular inner sealing rings 50 including an
annular, radially extending, generally planar flange 52 and an
axially extending, annular flange 54 extending outwardly of the
assembly. The corner between flanges 52, 54 is press fitted against
axial shoulder 20 in recess 18 of the outer race. Radial flange 52
extends toward the inner race but ends short of the inner race on
either side of the assembly. Flange 52a on the right side of the
assembly (FIGS. 2 and 3) ends approximately one-third of the
distance between the inner and outer races to provide a larger
annular space adjacent the right-hand row of ball bearings for
admitting grease to the bearings on the side including the grease
fitting 60. Radial flange 52b on the assembly side opposite the
grease fitting is longer than flange 52a but still does not engage
the inner race. Because of these annular spaces between the inner
race members and the end of the radial flanges 52, no part of the
inner sealing ring contacts the inner race during rotation of the
outer race.
Intermediate the inner sealing rings 50 and the outer rigid shields
70 are seals 56 preferably having a rigid central portion 57
stamped from steel and an outer, annular lip 59 molded from rubber
or plastic such as black nitrile rubber. Central area 57 is offset
and contoured to match the contour of lateral extensions 32, 34 and
engaging axial surfaces 36, 38 of the inner race members 22, 24.
Central portion 57 also includes a radially extending flange 58 on
which is bonded the molded angled sealing lip 59 (FIG. 5). The
material of lip 59 can extend completely over the outer face of
seal 56 (FIGS. 5 and 8) or can be stopped at the end edge of the
radial flange of rigid central area 57. In the middle of the steel
portion of radial flange 58a on the right-hand seal member 56 as
shown in FIG. 2, is secured by staking or the like a conventional
cylindrical grease fitting 60. Fitting 60 includes a central
passageway 62 to admit grease to the interior of the assembly 10
and is secured on the seal 56 by passing a rearward extension
through an aperture in the radial flange 58a and staking over or
expanding the end of the extension. The radial flanges 58 on either
side of the assembly have sufficient length such that angled,
molded, resilient lips 59 sealingly engage the inner circumference
of the axial flanges 54 of inner sealing rings 50. This provides a
positive seal which prevents the outflow of grease from the bearing
assembly in normal bearing operation and the inflow of foreign
particles which would otherwise cause faster wear or damage to the
assembly. Yet, the lip 59 is sufficiently flexible to flex
outwardly to allow the bearing to be purged of grease when
sufficient grease pressure is applied during lubrication. The
plastic or rubber material, such as black nitrile rubber, from
which the sealing lip 59 is molded is also flexible enough to avoid
any significant resistance to rotation of the outer race, and
resilient enough to be long wearing and durable.
The final portion of the seal arrangement includes a rigid annular
shield 70 formed from steel or the like. Shield 70 includes a
radially extending, generally planar annular portion 72 and an
axially inwardly extending, annular flange 74 at the
outercircumference of portion 72. Axial flange 74 is spaced
slightly inwardly from the axial portion of recess 16 so that no
contact takes place during rotation of the outer race. Shield 70
also includes an aperture 76 through which the grease fitting 60
extends when the shield is mounted in cooperation with the other
sealing members as well as a drain aperture 78 diametrically
opposed to the position of the grease fitting aperture 76. Drainage
aperture 78 allows the exit of water or excess grease from the
assembly during operation.
As is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the middle seal or shield 56 and
outer rigid shield 70 on the right-hand portion of the assembly
each include a central aperture so that the seal and shield can be
telescoped over portion 44 of the hub into proper position on the
assembly. Middle seal 56 includes aperture 64 having rectilinear or
flat edges 66 and 68 diametrically opposed to one another. Rigid
outer seal 70 includes aperture 80 including diametrically opposed
flat or rectilinear edges 82 and 84. Hub portion 44 forming the
support for middle and rigid shields 56 and 70 has a generally
circular cross-sectional shape except for diametrically opposed
flat or planar areas 48 and 49. Apertures 64 and 80 in middle
shield 56 and shield 70 are slightly larger than the exterior
dimension of hub portion 44 so that the same can be telescoped
thereover as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Seal 56 and shield 70 on the
left-hand portion of the assembly need not include the noncircular
apertures unless the nonrotational apparatus is used on that side
also.
In order to retain the middle seal and outer rigid shield 70 in
their proper position tightly against the end surface of portions
32, 34 of inner race members 22, 24, a resilient, expandable split
retaining ring 85 is provided and seated in a notch or groove 90
provided around a portion of the circumference of shield support
portion 44 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5. Split retaining ring 85 is
preferably formed from spring steel such that it tends to return to
its closed ring configuration and constantly urges itself into
contact with the shield support 44. It is severed at 86, and is
provided with expansion tool engaging apertures 87 so that the ring
may be expanded and inserted in groove 90. Groove 90 is slightly
deeper than the inner diameter of the split ring 85. The side
surface of groove 90 which is farthest from the inner race member
is angled away from the inner race member toward the opening of the
groove at an angle of approximately 15.degree. as shown in FIG. 5.
When the split retaining ring 85 is inserted in the groove, the
resilient closing force of the split ring and the engagement of the
inner circumference of the split ring with the inclined wall 92 of
the groove constantly urges shield 70 toward middle seal 56 and
thus toward the end surface of inner race member 24. In order to
accomplish this, the groove 90 is positioned slightly closer to the
end of inner race member 24 on hub portion 44 than the combined
thicknesses of middle seal 56 and rigid shield 70. A portion of the
groove extends under the thickness of shield 70. Accordingly, as
shown by the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5, split retaining ring
85 and inclined wall 92 of groove 90 serve to constantly bias the
shield and sealing members tightly against the inner race while the
cooperating flat or planar portions 48, 49, 60, 68, and 82, 84
prevent rotation of seal 56 including grease fitting 60 and shield
70 about the shield support member or hub portion 44. Grease
fitting 60 is, therefore, always maintained in the same
relationship to shield support 44 thereby enabling the use of
automatic relubrication equipment when the bearing assembly is used
in assembly lines or other conveyor systems incorporating such
equipment.
As an alternative to split ring 85 and the angled or beveled groove
90, a convex, dish-shaped split retaining ring 95 may be used
together with a straight-walled groove 96. As shown in FIGS. 6 and
7, the dish-shaped split retaining ring is severed at 97 such that
it may be expanded and inserted in groove 96. Although convex in
normal condition, the split ring 95 may be flexed to a planar
position as shown in FIG. 8. Since the ring 95 is preferably formed
from a resilient, memory-retaining, spring-like material such as
spring steel, it naturally tends to return to its convex shape
thereby constantly biasing shield 70 and middle seal 56 toward
inner race member 24 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 8.
To assemble the bearing assembly, the right-hand row of ball
bearings is loaded between raceway 30 and right-hand outer raceway
14. The right-hand inner sealing ring 50 is then press fitted in
outer race 12 to hold the right-hand row of bearings in place.
Similarly, the left-hand inner race member 22, inner sealing ring
50, and row of ball bearings are assembled. Hub 26 is then
telescoped within race members 22, 24. Left-hand middle seal 56 and
left-hand rigid shield member 70 are then telescoped over the end
of portion 40 and flange 42 is turned radially outwardly to hold
the inner race members and left-hand shield 70 and middle seal 56
in place.
The assembly is then turned over and right-hand middle seal 56
including grease fitting 60 and right-hand rigid shield 70
telescoped into place with flats 66, 68 and 82, 84 engaging planar
areas 48, 49 on hub portion 44. Grease fitting 60 extends through
aperture 76 in shield 70. Thereafter, either split ring retainer 85
or 95 is seated in the groove on hub portion 44 to complete the
assembly.
In operation, should inspection or maintenance of the interior of
the assembly be required, the split retaining ring merely need be
removed from grooves 90 and 96 and shield 70 and middle seal 56
removed. The entire assembly can remain in place on its support
shaft extending through bore 46 during such removal and inspection.
When assembled, grease may be inserted through fitting 60 while the
bearing remains assembled, the grease traveling through passageway
62 through the annular space between the end of radial flange 52a
of right-hand inner sealing ring 50 and the inner race 24 and to
the ball bearings. Excess grease can exit through drainage aperture
78 along with any water to which the assembly is subjected. The
noncircular configuration of the mounting apertures on seal 56 and
shield 70 and the cooperating portions on shield support portion 44
maintain the shield and seal from rotation relative to the hub
thereby maintaining the position of the grease fitting in a
predetermined location and enabling the use of automatic
relubrication equipment.
While several forms of the invention have been shown and described,
other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the
drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes
and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is
defined by the claims which follow.
* * * * *